Rockets like what they hear from Dwight Howard

LOS ANGELES – The Rockets did not get an answer from Dwight Howard and none was expected. They did, however, get just the questions that they hoped to receive.

After more than 2 ½ hours meeting with Howard and his representatives at the Bel-Air Hotel, the Rockets were encouraged by many things, but mostly that Howard’s interest seemed to be about the potential to win championships with the Rockets.

According to a person with knowledge of the conversations, “about 90 percent” of Howard’s questions were about the team, its potential and how he would fit.

The Rockets have hoped that Howard would base his free agency decision on which team would give him the best chance to win championships, a criteria they believe would make them “the obvious choice,” according to a person familiar with the presentation.

The Rockets were so all in for Howard they traded Thomas Robinson before the meeting so that there would be no uncertainty about their ability to sign him to a max contract, removing that question.

They also made plans to pursue free agents that would fit best with Howard, rather than if they cannot get him. A person with knowledge of their plans said they plan to meet with free agent forwards Mike Dunleavy and Corey Brewer while in Los Angeles.

Much of the conversation on Sunday was about how Howard would fit with the current Rockets, with the Rockets citing how he generally plays best with attacking guards, making him a good fit with Jeremy Lin, the advantage of having another quality center on the roster in Omer Asik and the continued growth of forward Chandler Parsons.

“It went well,” said Parsons, who is friends with Howard since their days in Orlando. “He wants to win and we’re a great fit.”

There was also a discussion of the remaining rookies from last season, Patrick Beverley, Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas.

Parsons and James Harden attended the meeting with Kevin McHale handling many of the questions about the team’s potential and how Howard would be used in a retooled offense. Yao Ming talked from China via Skype and Dikembe Mutombo made a video presentation. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey discussed not only the plans going forward, but was also asked about how the Rockets were built to position themselves to be able to offer a second max contract.

Howard is scheduled to meet with the Hawks and Warriors today and with the Mavericks and Lakers on Tuesday.

According to a person familiar with the Rockets meeting, the delegation left feeling that it went well, but that Howard wanted to take his time to consider the options, unlike the rushed, trade deadline decision to remain under contract, rather than to become a free agent last summer.